Level 2
ALPINE ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
Individual activities: Manage each of the Technical Fundamentals as prescribed.
Description:
A series of linked, carved turns.Turns fit within 1 groomer width.
Terrain:
Green Terrain/Groomed Snow
Ski Performance:
- Tails follow tips to create carved ski performance
- Skis stay the parallel and same distance apart
- Both skis flatten and edge at the same rate, time, and for same duration
Body Performance:
- Tipping movements and angulation originate in the lower body
- Legs tip at the same time and rate
- The Center of Mass stays over the Base of Support as the lower body moves to control edge angles
Fundamental Focus:
Control edge angles through a combination of inclination and angulation and/or Control the relationship of the Center of Mass to the Base of Support to direct pressure along the length of the skis
Related Activities
Level 2 – Individual
Why is this useful?
Railroad tracks provide a training target that focuses on developing and refining the ability to utilize ski design to create a basic carved ski performance. These fundamental movements manage edge control and are the building blocks to higher-level skiing skills and are key to the elusive “parallel turn” sought by the skiing public.
Teaching / Learning Cues
Changing the Habitual Big-toe to big-toe Habit (sequential edge change that starts with big toe side of new outside ski changing/engaging first)
- Contrast new outside foot big-toe-down habit by starting with a concentrated focus to only move the new inside foot big toe up.
- Start in straight run, then roll/tip the new inside (only) big toe up off the snow onto slight (little toe) edge while keeping other ski flat.
- When slight tension is felt in that lead foot/leg, simply relax that foot and allow it to go back to flat. (Repeat several times)
- Repeat with other foot leading, being aware of resisting any habit that wants to edge the other ski on it’s big toe edge.
- Skis may initially leave brushed tracks instead of carved tracks, but steering/rotation should not be used to create skidded turns. It is best to have someone do movement analysis to determine the specific cause of this pattern.
- Assess for athletic, balanced fore/aft stance. Skier should have pressure on shin of boot, and feel pressure on the whole foot, with more pressure toward the ball of the foot.
- Sometimes when skiers focus on “tipping to the little and big toe” sides of the feet, the heel of the foot looses contact with the boot, and the ski begins to pivot/skid. Think of trying to ski on the entire side of the boot.
- When trying to “make the skis turn” skiers often add rotary inputs, causing the skis to skid. In this activity, learn to gradually place the ski on edge and let the ski design cause the turning. Be patient, let the ski create the direction change. Tipping the ski up onto a higher edge angle will tighten the arc, if desired.
Here are some cues to help achieve a carved turn outcome.